Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I will write a real blog update soon. But if you're thinking about Haiti, and I know that you are, I wanted to mention that Partners in Health seems like a fantastic organization, and might be a good place to give money to, if a relief donation is something you're able to consider. Tracy Kidder has written about them, both in his book, and in tomorrow's Times. I know that resources are tight, but all those photographs in the newspaper--those faces devastated by grief and pain and fear, all those kids--really focus my perspective. You know what I mean. xo

17 comments:

UPS is shipping to Haiti for free tomorrow. It needs to be under 50 lbs. Also, you can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate a one time $10 donation to the Red Cross. $10! So little that can still do so much!

Just checked on the UPS free shipping. They're not after all. It was a rumor going around on twitter.To make up for my blunder, here's a link to The Ellen's show homepage. There are a list of charities people can donate to.The Red Cross text is legit. http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/01/haiti-earthquake-0113.php

We donated to Doctors Without Borders, hoping that because they're already established there (like PIH), the aid can be put to use more quickly.

If you're going to write about this issue, I hope you'll share what wisdom you have about how or whether to consume these terrible images and stories. I am trying to decide whether I owe it to these suffering people to look at what is happening to them. Not to turn away. But as a mother -- as a person, actually -- I feel I can't bear to see pictures of dead or dying children and their mothers.

My cousin Molly's brother Jim started an orphanage in Haiti 10 years ago. Here's the link to his organization. http://oiww.org/ I'm trying to think of ways to raise money for the orphanage and involve the boys. I'm thinking of making candy to give to donors. We're in a lousy place for a lemonade/hot cocoa stand. Have any of you conducted a successful fundraiser?

I heard a reporter on NPR yesterday interviewing a man in Haiti holding his critically injured child, unable to get medical help for her. The child was terrified and in extreme pain, the father in despair. I cannot imagine. I can't.

I think a person needs to acknowledge the humanity and suffering of others, to the extent that she/he can manage. We cannot turn away mindlessly, nor can we drive ourselves to the kind of despair that leads to utter depression, not action. You just need to find your own limits and live in them. I have taught/am teaching English to a number of Haitian immigrants, and I am terrified for their families back in Haiti. I can watch a little news each day, and then I need to stop. Today, I went a little too far and burst out sobbing. How could I not? But maybe I need to try to go to written media rather than TV. Know that others' pain is deep, and know thy own psychological limits.

Click here http://highwaytohaiti.com/to read a firsthand account of some missionary friends' experiences in Haiti as of late. It's their family blog, but gives good insight into how to (and not to) help right now.

I just heard about this charity that is accepting donations for Haiti:http://www.soles4souls.org/donate/your_shoes.htmlThey are accepting donations of new or gently worn shoes that will go directly to those affected by the earthquake. I like the idea of a donation like this because I know it will go directly to the people who are in such desperate need. Shoes seem like such a minor thing to us, but for people who don't have any - especially in a time like this, when there is broken glass, twisted metal and raw sewage everywhere - they are critical. I just rounded up several outgrown pairs of my daughter's shoes, and now I am off to attack my own closet.

Two comments- be very careful of organizations that CLAIM to be helping Haiti. Unfortunately, they abound. Also, just to add into your book comment, you may want to look into Esme Raji Codell, a brilliant writer and "readologist". She is on planetesme.com and has written many fantastic books, including "How to Get Your Child to Love Reading (even if they already do)" which lists tons of fabulous books for kids and activities as well. And they're multicultural- perhaps some can be put away to donate to Haitian schools when they get back on their feet.

Thanks, Catherine, for the mention of Partners in Health. You inspired me to get a money collection project going for PIH at our school. And I loved that the organization has a great rating on charitywatch.com.